On Saturday, May 20th at both the Brewery and The Side Project Cellar, we are going to introduce Kriek du Fermier for on-site enjoyment during Fermier Day!

Saturday, at the Brewery, I am pulling out several variants of Saison du Fermier to enjoy as well to kick off Kriek du Fermier. These will be available for on-site enjoyment at the Brewery for Fermier Day:

For those of you close to Side Project, you know that Kriek du Fermier has been in the works for several years now, but I can say that the wait was worth it. For the first Blend and release of KdF, we were fortunate enough to be allowed to use the Danish cherries from Frederiksdal. I first tasted the Frederiksdal Cherry Wines at the Mikkeller Copenhagen Beer Celebration in 2015. Their Cherry Wines were unlike anything I had had before and were distinctive in their cherry acidity, flavor and aroma. When we were given the opportunity to use these cherries, I was excited to put them in our favorite base for fruit, Saison du Fermier.

After more than a year from the initial brew day, Kriek du Fermier was bottled and has naturally conditioned in the bottle and it ready to be shared. Along with KdF, Oude Fermier Blend #2 will be on the list for the first time at the Brewery!

Oude Fermier Blend #2 started life as Saison du Fermier - our spelt Saison that was barrel-fermented in new-to-us French Oak Chardonnay barrels with our Missouri cultures - but at maturity, the best barrel was selected to age longer. Unlike Blend #1, which spent 12 months in oak and 6 months conditioning before release, #2 was aged for 24 months before being bottled and naturally conditioned for 8 months before being shared with you. The extended aging and more impactful oak presence was inspired by my love for the white Grand Crus of Burgundy.

I couldn't be happier with how Saison du Fermier has progressed and aged over the years and I am excited to dig into our library of aged variants to share this weekend.

Kriek du Fermier bottles will be available for on-site enjoyment starting Saturday at both the Brewery and The Side Project Cellar and will continue Sunday at the Brewery.